Why Your Garage Door Won't Close
Why won't my garage door close?
What is actually causing it
Most likely first, based on what our crews find on the call.
01Safety sensor beam blocked or out of alignment
The two photo eyes sit about six inches off the floor on each track. If anything breaks the beam — a bin, a bike tire, a coiled hose, even low sun glare into the receiving eye — the opener refuses to close and reverses instead. Clear the path and check that both LEDs are lit steady, not flickering.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
02Sensor bracket knocked out of aim
A bumped bracket moves the beam a fraction of a degree and that is enough. Loosen the wing nut, sight the two eyes at each other until the indicator stops flickering, then tighten. If the LED goes dark entirely the wire has probably been cut or pulled loose at a staple.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
03Dirty or fogged sensor lenses
Dust, spider webbing and condensation scatter the infrared beam. A dry microfiber wipe on both lenses fixes a surprising share of no-close calls, and costs nothing to try before you pick up the phone.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
04Down-travel limit set too far
If the opener thinks the floor is lower than it is, it drives the door into the concrete, senses the resistance and reverses to protect itself. The limit screws or the electronic limit routine need resetting — a service call, because a mis-set limit is also how a door gets driven off its track.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
05Obstruction or damage in the track
A bent track section, a flattened roller or debris in the channel stops the door short and trips the force reversal. Do not force it closed. A door binding in the track is one bad push away from coming off it entirely.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
06Manual lock engaged
Older doors have a side latch or a T-handle lock. If someone threw it, the opener will strain and reverse. Check the latch bar before assuming a fault.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
07Opener logic board or travel module failure
When sensors, limits and track all check out, the logic board is the remaining suspect — commonly a surge-damaged board or a failed travel/RPM module. This is a part swap, not an adjustment.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
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Frequently asked questions
Why won't my garage door close?
Is this safe for me to fix myself?
How much will the repair cost?
Are you licensed?
Describe the noise. We will tell you what broke.
Most calls are diagnosed in under two minutes, with a price range before anyone drives out.
CA-GARAGEDOOR California — California contractor licence CSLB #1098234. Licensed, bonded and insured. 1-year parts & labor.